We were lucky to catch up with Jamie Maglietta recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jamie, thanks for joining us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

My career has been built on taking risks, rejection, and reputation. These three Rs are essential to success. My recent decision has been the biggest risk of all, after being laid off after my show on CNN was cancelled I decided to invest in myself. After years of working in TV news I decided to make a change and pivot. At first the risk was rewarded. I began freelancing in unscripted production management as a Line Producer. Managing live TV shows had more transferrable skills into this new line of work than I initially realized. However making this move added more risk because freelance means no benefits or “security.” I put security in quotes because I thought I was in a secure role but the safety blanket was ripped off. Being laid off is mental. You can either continue down the same path or use it as an opportunity to change. I chose change. As a freelancer I love what I do and the ability to take more risks. I launched my own business Sophia Van Ames Consulting where I offer social media production services and career consulting to media and entertainment students or professionals. To further expand my reach and inspire others to seek out what makes them happy and take risks, I launched a podcast called. “What Do You Do Exactly?” Through this I highlight my network and expand it building on my reputation and creating a brand people can know, like, and trust. I know putting myself out there and pivoting is a huge risk, but so far it all feels right.

Jamie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Jamie Maglietta is an Emmy-nominated media expert with 20+ years’ experience in national newsrooms including CNN, CNN International, MSNBC, Fox News Channel, and Fox Business. Her interest and experience in media is broad – from news and content to long-form entertainment productions, including budgeting and production management.

A journalist with extensive experience as a senior and supervising producer, she’s helped drive content and coverage for live national programming and is a skilled and seasoned project manager. She also has global management experience of teams in New York, Atlanta, Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi, London, and the UK. Recently while juggling work and family, she also earned a master’s degree from Harvard University in Business Management with a focus on branding strategy and marketing.

Known for unbiased decision-making and an ability to offer keen insights about both sides of the political aisle, Jamie is dynamic, personable, and energetic. She loves embracing new challenges and excels at turning big, creative visions into reality. Regularly relied on at senior levels as a trusted advisor, she’s adept at radical candor and courageous conversations that bring people together around ideas and drive positive results. She has helped lead strategy, coverage and content for international shows including Reliable Sources (CNN), been a key force in creating the look and tone for the launch of new shows and while at Fox, appeared on Foxnews Live as an authentic reporter, guest and host. She also produced on-air content for affiliates and Fox’s iMag.

Relationship-driven and collaborative, Jamie has an extensive network across news organizations and outlets with journalists and publicists. She has experience as a social media branding expert. Passionate about mentoring, advancing, and supporting young leaders, she has led workshops on producing and speaks to college students, most recently at the University of Michigan and at AAJA. A first runner-up as Miss New Jersey, she also volunteers as an interview coach for the Mrs. America organization. Additionally she’s an Emmy judge for the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in the News.

Jamie currently works on Unscripted programs as a freelance line producer for Paramount/BET. Through her business, Sophia Van Ames Consulting, she offers freelance production management services, along with social media training, and career consulting. She is Executive Producer, Editor, and Host of the podcast, “What Do You Do Exactly?” She uses this podcast to focus on careers in media and entertainment.

A bold risk taker, Jamie traveled to Africa at 18, writing for Imagine Magazine before college, and studying in 6 countries to focus on economic diversity so she could have a strong global awareness before entering the workforce. Her TV career started in a unique way – producing and anchoring local access TV for her New Jersey High School.

Jamie lives with her husband and two children in Georgia.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

The three Rs plus the big N round out my philosophy. The “N” stands for Networking. This is the key ingredient to having a strong reputation. Sure you need. another R, results, but also respect for others which can be shown through proper networking. On LinkedIn I have made sure to check in on former colleagues over the years. I would DM them and ask, “What Do You Do Exactly?” This question would open the door to a nice conversation and some fond memories. We would then support each other online or schedule a call. I would use this method to expand my network to. I would reach out to people on LinkedIn that had interesting jobs and I would ask them the same question. Putting energy into others gives you the chance to show them who you really are. This allows you to provide value to their lives and sometimes exchange resources. When you think about your network you realize its strength when you can put together a long a list of people you could call for advice. That list doesn’t come from simply friending one another, it comes from your willingness to put in the effort, take a risk, and build your brand. Right now I enjoy pouring my energy into helping others, providing tips, and being motivational. I think of myself as a thought-leader on LinkedIn and this has helped me build a reputation as someone people feel comfortable talking with, making my podcast the perfect place for people to share, vent, and educate others about what career options are truly out there in the fields of media and entertainment. Again, networking, is how I build my brand, my reputation, and attract podcast guests and clients.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Social media has been a project of mine since 2018. I began testing out tactics, strategies, and creating content. Although I enjoy creating content, offering tips on how others can see growth on social media, and expand their reach, the one thing I haven’t spoken about on Instagam is how I really gained my first three thousand followers. Growth on any social media platform can be created through networking. Yes, I am returning to the N, as well as the big R, risk. I gained my first few thousand by investing time on getting to know people on Instagram. I would like and comment on dozens of post two times a day. I would spend an hour, yes, an hour, investing in finding like minded people and then I would engage on their posts. This action resulted in DMs, chat groups, and followers. What also helped me build my network on social media, including on LinkedIn, was attending networking events, asking new people if they wanted to connect online, and being curious. Curiosity has helped me tremendously. I was curious about growing my grays out, so I friended people doing just that, then I rallied behind them as I began my journey. I was curious about production management in consulting, advertising, and film so I looked up roles, accounts within those niches and connected with people who had similar interests. I would not just follow but DM and ask them about their business, role, or interests. This engagement led to a digital friendship. Now I cheer on those connections, check-in, and engage on their posts. This further strengthens your network and attracts more to your brand. Networking helped me build a following, which is small but engaged and growing.With every post or article like this, my hope is that readers will see my content and feel compelled to connect.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sophiavanamesconsulting.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamie_theproducer/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-maglietta/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/JamieMaglietta
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDjUvKm3vnxD56Q045VjbIQ
• Other: https://www.podpage.com/what-do-you-do-exactly/

Image Credits
Credit: Keikilani Photography for all but the green pants that was Amanda Youmans